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content/blog/018-i-got-a-robot-vacuum.md

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+---
+title: I Got a Robot Vacuum
+date: 2022-12-31
+tags:
+  - Privacy
+  - Home Assistant
+description: I recently bought a Robot vacuum. I have been amazed how good it is.
+---
+
+So, you have probably seen or heard about robot vacuums. I had, although
+honestly thought they were a bit of a gimmick. However, a few people I know have
+them and sung their praises so I thought I'd see what the fuss was about.
+
+I did some research and settled on the [Dreame L10 Pro](https://amzn.to/3GacxLz)
+([Non-Associates
+link](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dreame-Dual-Line-Navigation-Multi-Level-Compatible/dp/B09YQ3VF3J/?th=1)).
+This was in no small part because it is known to work with
+[Valetudo](https://valetudo.cloud/) which allows for fully local control of the
+robot. As well as a very usable web interface, it also provides MQTT control
+which I use for [Home Assistant](/tag/home_assistant/) control.
+
+It is fair to say that my expectations have been shattered by this device. I
+expected it to do a reasonable job, but that I would probably have to do a
+"proper" hoover once a week or so. That has not been the case. I have not had to
+manually hoover the floors at all since setting it up. I have been especially
+surprised by this as we have a dog who malts.
+
+I have the vacuum set to vacuum our daytime living areas (lounge, kitchen, hall,
+study) every morning at 1am. I did not expect the quality of life improvement
+that we got from waking up every morning to a vacuumed house. Our bedroom is
+then vacuumed during the day while we work. Apart from emptying the vacuum's
+dustbin, this is entirely automatic.
+
+The vacuum I have has a detachable cloth and water tank that it can drag behind
+it and keep wet. I mostly got the device for its vacuum capabilities. However,
+the addition of the mop is nice. This, too, exceeded my expectations; although
+not to the same extent as the vacuum. It is nice to have, but I wouldn't buy
+this particular robot for its mopping capabilities. We tend to attach this mop
+and manually instruct the vacuum to mop various rooms when we go out.
+
+## Any Cons?
+
+Although this device has been an overwhelming positive in our life, it may not
+be for everyone.
+
+We have hard floors throughout our flat. This obviously makes vacuuming and
+mopping easier for the robot. We do have a thick rug which it can struggle with
+a little. However, I have taken the robot to our parents' houses who have carpet
+and it has tackled even quite thick carpets without issue. If you have a lot of
+very thick rugs, you may want to do a bit more research into robots that can
+deal with them.
+
+Also, the dustbin in the vacuum is quite small. I tend to empty it every other
+day. Paying more can get you features such as auto-emptying dustbins which the
+robot I got doesn't have.
+
+We live in a flat, so we don't have stairs to contend with. We are due to move
+very soon into a house. My long term plan is to buy a second robot, in order to
+have one up stairs and one downstairs. This (obviously) makes a fully automated
+vacuuming setup significantly more expensive. However, the fact that I am
+planning this hopefully demonstrates how happy I am with this vacuum.
+
+## Home Assistant
+
+As mentioned, Valetudo allows me to control my robot entirely locally. My home
+automation platform of choice is Home Assistant which is [supported by
+Valetudo](https://valetudo.cloud/pages/integrations/home-assistant-integration.html).
+
+With my smart light switches, it allows me to do things like push and hold the
+light switch in order to instruct the vacuum to come and hoover the room I'm in.
+It can also stop the vacuum from vacuuming every day while we are on holiday.